Vientos returns to Mets' lineup after missing 2 games with groin discomfort

NEW YORK (AP) — Third baseman Mark Vientos was back in the New York Mets' lineup Tuesday night against Philadelphia after missing two games due to groin discomfort.

Vientos left Saturday’s 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth, one inning after making a leaping catch. Brett Baty played third on Sunday and Monday.

With the first-place Mets facing Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez in the middle game of their series, Vientos returned to the cleanup spot in the batting order.

“Just been taking care of it, recovering, and stick to that process. So, it feels good,” Vientos said following a 5-1 victory that extended New York’s winning streak to six games.

The 25-year-old Vientos entered hitting .167 with two home runs, six RBIs and a .565 OPS. He was 0 for 13 against lefties this season and 1 for 22 with runners in scoring position — although he went deep last Thursday and Friday for his first two homers of the year.

But he improved all those numbers with a two-out RBI double off Sánchez in the first inning.

“It's crazy. It doesn't feel different at all. I feel like I've been doing the same thing. I'm just finding holes now," Vientos said. "I think that's the hardest part about this game is just not getting away from yourself, no matter if you have results or not.”

Then he turned in a difficult defensive play in the second that saved at least one run — aided by a tough scoop from first baseman Pete Alonso.

“I gave him a big hug right after that,” Vientos said with a smile. “He gets underappreciated for how good he is over there.”

Vientos had a breakout season in 2024, hitting .266 with 27 homers, 71 RBIs and an .837 OPS. He added five home runs during the playoffs and set a Mets postseason record with 14 RBIs as New York reached the National League Championship Series.

Left fielder Brandon Nimmo was rested against the lefty, with the Mets in a stretch of 13 straight games without an off day. José Azócar started in Nimmo’s place and batted ninth.

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New York Mets' Mark Vientos (27), José Azocar (28), Juan Soto (22) and Luisangel Acuña (2) celebrates with teammates after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Mark Vientos, left, slides past Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto, right, to score on a single by Luis Torrens of a baseball game Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Mark Vientos (27) hits an RBI double during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo (9) celebrates in the dugout after scoring during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

New York Mets Brandon Nimmo (9) celebrates his leaping catch against the St. Louis Cardinals during Cardinals' Jordan Walker's ball, resulting in Walker flying out during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo (9) catches St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Walker (18) ball, resulting in Walker flying out, during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

New York Mets' Tyrone Taylor (15) celebrates with teammates Mark Vientos (27), Brandon Nimmo (9) and Luisangel Acuña (2) after a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, April 17, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Mark Vientos (27) gestures after hitting an RBI double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Monday, April 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

New York Mets' Mark Vientos hits a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Friday, April 18, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Mark Vientos (27) celebrates in the dugout after scoring during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Sunday, April 13, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored at least 30 points for the fourth consecutive game, his season-high 40 leading the Knicks past the Orlando Magic 132-120 on Saturday and putting New York in the NBA Cup final.

The Knicks, who have won five in a row and nine of 10, will play San Antonio on Tuesday night for the championship.

Brunson also had eight assists and made 16 of 27 shots, including a 3-pointer in the third quarter after Orlando's Anthony Black fell backward onto the floor. Karl-Anthony Towns had 29 points and OG Anunoby scored 24 for the Knicks.

Jalen Suggs scored 25 of his 26 points in the first half for the Magic before leaving in the fourth quarter because of a sore left hip. Paolo Banchero added 25 points and Desmond Bane scored 18.

This game had a playoff feel with both teams playing physically and taking seemingly every opportunity to push the pace. The Knicks shot 60.7% and outscored the Magic 70-62 in the lane.

The game was back and forth with 11 lead changes and 10 ties before the Knicks went on a 10-point run late in the third quarter to take a 102-92 lead.

It appeared a little NBA history could be made when at halftime Brunson and Suggs each scored 25 points. No regular-season game has produced a 50-point scorer from each team since 2000.

But Suggs scored just a point in the second half, and he clearly was hobbled. He went to the locker room early in the fourth quarter.

The Magic played without Franz Wagner, who is out several weeks with a high ankle sprain.

Knicks: Play the Spurs on Tuesday night in the NBA Cup final.

Magic: Visit Denver on Thursday.

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New York Knicks' center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts to a call during the first half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game against Orlando Magic, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots a free-throw during the first half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)

New York Knocks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (1) tangle near the net during the first half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ronda Churchill)